Fredrick Nwajagu, the Eze Igbo of Ajao Estate, Lagos, has threatened to invite members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to protect the properties of Igbo people in Lagos State.
Twitter handleb@DeeOneAyekooto shared a video of Nwajagu saying that the persistent attacks on Igbo people and markets in Lagos State necessitated the need to invite IPOB members.
Nwajagu stated,
“IPOB, we will invite them. They have no job. All of the IPOB will protect all of our shops, and we have to pay them, and we have to mobilise for that, and we have to do that. We must have our security so that they will stop attacking us at midnight, in the morning and afternoon.”
He added, “When they discover that we have security before they come, they will know we have our men there. Igbo must get their right and stand in Lagos State.”
Police’s Response
However, the Lagos State Police Command Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the security agency would not allow IPOB to come to the state. He stated, “To start with, @LagosPoliceNG will never fold its arms and allow such within the state.”
The tension between the Igbo and Yoruba ethnic groups worsened after the presidential candidate of Peter Obi defeated his counterpart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the state’s presidential poll. Igbo voters also complained of being intimidated during the March 18 governorship election, and thugs prevented many from exercising their franchise.
In conclusion, the threat by the Igbo leader to invite IPOB to protect Igbo traders in Lagos State has generated concern among the security agencies. However, the Lagos State Police Command has assured residents that the state’s security will not be compromised.
